Haldir shrugged. "We could always call for them," said Haldir unconcernedly.

_________________

"At this great distance?" Miriel questioned. To give it a try she whistled a very high tone which almost couldn't be heard by human ears. Then they waited.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Haldir followed suit and whistled a high tune. Almost instantly a few specks appeared in the distance.

"Asfaloth," said Haldir, nodding to the white speck on the right. "My steed."

_________________

Meleth looked surprised. "And the other would be mine...Minuial." She smiled, looking relieved now, as her palomino galloped up and looked Meleth over disapprovingly.

_________________

As last a grey mare galloped toward the three friends. Miriel smiled: "Felarah" and she patted the horses' neck.

(I have to go now.. I'll be back tommorow- probably for you it's early morning then- )

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Haldir smiled. "I knew they were still safe," he said gladly, hauling himself up on Asfaloth with one arm. "We should leave now," he said.

_________________

Meleth mounted. She was still tired and sore but the fact that she didn't have to walk improved things, because Meleth wasn't entirely sure she could have walked for long anyway. She realized uncomfortably that, while taking care of everyone else, she had forgotten about herself, but pushed the thought out of her mind.

_________________

Haldir could almost read Meleth's thoughts. "Are you wounded?" he asked her edgily. "You seem to be moving rather oddly."

_________________

Luthien looked at the ranger as he exclaimed. "What are you thinking, Elegost?"

_________________


Thanks Haldir and Gil!
"You said: I know that this will hurt, but if I don't break your heart then things will just get worse..."

"No," said Meleth defensively, even though it wasn't true. "I'm fine. Let's go." She urged Minuial into a trot, not wanting to discuss it.

_________________

Haldir knew how stubborn women could be so he wisely chose not to say anything. Instead, he made a mental note to watch Melleth closely. "If you say so," he said, pretending to believe her. He nudged Asfaloth's sides and started after Meleth.

_________________

Miriel urged Felarah to follow Haldir and Meleth. She secretely peeked at Meleth who didn't look as good as she said, but she left it for she thought that Meleth herself could warn them in time when she coudn't go on.

They rode North, following the same path as Elegost crossed yesterday while he was hunting. "Look! " Miriel exclaimed. She pointed at the ground where large footprints could be seen in the grass. "At least we're following the right trail"

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Haldir nodded. "That's some comfort," he agreed. "We'll follow them the best we can. They can't be far."

_________________

Meleth nodded. "I don't think they could have gone very far, and if they have we'll easily catch up to them on horseback."

_________________

Haldir nudged Asfaloth along faster until they came across the now deserted site they were at previously. Weapons were strewn among the piles of dead Orcs. Haldir rode around, checking of any of those bodies could belong to any of their fellow companions.

_________________

"They aren't here" Miriel concluded relieved. She didn't expect they would be here, why would the Orc otherwise have taken them?
"Shall we continue our journey?" Miriel proposed. Their companions weren't here and the smell was terrible.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.